Crimson Conviction

I stepped off of the plane and shielded my eyes from the blinding, Santa Fe sun. I didn’t want to stay with my Aunt for the summer, my dad needed me. I lived with my dad from the time I was nine years old, just me and Jeff. We didn’t have a normal father-daughter relationship, we were much closer. So, when he suggested that I spend over half of summer with his sister, Trisha, in New Mexico, I was highly perplexed.

“Crim! Oh, my little Crimson is all grown up! Look at you!” What she saw as grown up, I saw as a gangly 5’9, wiry, sixteen year old.

“Trish!” I forced enthusiasm, without being very convincing. “I am so happy to be here.” I lied as I brushed the side bangs back out of my face to join the rest of my mid-back length, chocolate brown hair.

“Well come on, chick! We’ve got a lot to do!” She was not your average Aunt. My grandparents had her late in life, nearly eleven years after they had my dad. She was twenty-nine, with the enthusiasm of a teen.

“What do you mean?” I was under the assumption that this summer would be very laid back. I thought I would just spend most of my days reading, maybe find a good little book shop in town. I should’ve known better. With Aunt Trish around, every minute of the nearly two month long visit would be planned.

“We need to go down to the shop, I’ve ordered some new spices that are supposed to be in by now. I was planning on making some new flavored crusts, hoping you would help me taste test them.” Her pizza shop was her life, she was great at it. She had inherited it from my grandmother when she passed away. I had never met my grandfather, he died two years before I was born, but he was the one that started the business. I pondered getting a job there for the duration of my stay, but was sure that Trish would surely object. My thought were cut short when she nudged me and half whispered, “I’ve got this cute, young guy working there. He’d be just perfect for you!”

I hid my annoyance at the thought of meeting someone while I was down here and shot her a small, strained smile that never touched my eyes.

Villagios’ Pizzeria, as my grandparents had it after our last name, was only a ten minute drive from the airport. We pulled up and I was amazed at how different it looked. When I came here as a kid, I remembered it looking slightly run-down, but now it looked like a trendy little pizza parlor. She had really done some work since she became the owner. I anticipated that it was just as authentic as it had been.

Pushing through the double doors, I smelled the most amazing aroma. My eyes were only closed for a second, trying to adjust to the sudden change in lighting, but when I opened them, I was surprised at what I saw. That was the first time I set eyes on him.

Author's Note Please reveiw! I would really appreciate it and it would help me get some constructive criticism! Thanks so much! Until we meet again!